Considering visiting Germany? Our advice is to take time to figure out what you most want from your trip before honing in on places that’ll best deliver those wants! You’ll also need to figure out a number of practical factors, like the best time to visit and how you’ll get around. To help you navigate all that — and a whole lot more — here’s a complete guide to how to plan a trip to Germany.
When to do this: 6 months before your trip to Germany
The first part of planning your vacation to Germany is to turn your attention to broader questions around what you want from your trip, and the likes of when’s the best time to visit in order to enjoy them to the max.
Factors to consider while planning your trip to Germany
Being a wonderful year-round destination, when it comes to deciding best time to go to Germany, that depends on where you plan to visit, the kind of activities you most want to enjoy, and your budget.
On balance, the best stretch of time to visit Germany is between the broad period of May and October when the weather is largely mild-to-warm and ideal for sightseeing, hiking, and enjoying outdoor cafés and beer gardens, no matter where you visit.
While July and August can be more crowded and more expensive, it's the best time for open-air events, with long daylight hours, and the lakes and mountains looking especially lovely.
For smaller crowds, spring (April to early June) is also a great time to visit, whether you’re looking to enjoy the great outdoors in pleasant weather, or fancy exploring cities.
Meanwhile, fall (September to November) means wine harvests, Oktoberfests, spectacular forest scenery and crisp weather that invites exploring charming towns, castles and national parks.
Lastly, mention must be made of Germany’s legendary winter markets, particularly in places like Nuremberg, Munich, and Dresden.
While the weather is cold, winter is a magical time for families and romantics to visit Germany, with ski resorts in the Bavarian Alps offering winter sports for all levels.
So, the best time to visit Germany depends on what you’re looking to do, like we said at the start!
Insel Mainau Bodensee, Germany © AdobeStock
The answer to this question has a lot do with where you’re traveling from. For example, if you’re visiting from another European country, you could to a deep dive into a German city like Berlin or Munich on an immersive weekend break, or else explore a region and city (or two) in 7-14 days.
If you’re traveling from the US and want to get a decent sense of the country, we suggest working to a 10-14-day German itinerary.
This will give you time to explore 2-3 cities, and their respective wider regions, through a mix of day trips and transfers, without feeling too rushed.
The cost of a trip to Germany will, of course, depend on your travel style, accommodation choices, whether you plan to travel around a lot, and the number (and kind) of trips and tours you take.
With that caveat, here’s a ballpark overview of caverage osts for a 7-day trip to Germany, assuming mid-range travel choices, and excluding international flights.
Germany is part of the Schengen Area, which allows visa-free travel for up to 90 days within any 180-day period for citizens of many countries, including US and UK citizens.
Note that your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen Area, you mustn’t overstay the 90-day limit, and you can't work or study.
You might also be asked to show proof of return ticket, proof of accommodation and travel plans, and proof of having sufficient funds to cover your stay.
Also note that from mid-2025, U.S. travelers — and other visa-exempt nationals — will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) before entering Germany or any Schengen country.
This isn’t a visa — it’s a travel authorization that’s valid for three years, or until your passport expires.
Wondering how to plan a trip to Germany? First focus on what you want from your trip © Shutterstock
When to do this: 5 months before
The first stage of planning the detail of your Germany itinerary is to list everything you’re keen to see and do, considering the destinations you simply must visit, and the kind of experiences you’re looking for, whether that’s hiking or biking in Germany’s glorious great outdoors, or uncovering history and culture in towns and cities.
If you're not traveling solo, have each person in your group suggest their 3-5 must-see destinations so you can curate a trip plan that’ll keep everyone happy.
Decisions to make:
Floating tram, Wuppertal, Germany © Shutterstock
With one of the most efficient and well-connected transportation systems in Europe, getting around Germany is a breeze. Whether you're staying in one place or planning a multi-city trip, there are convenient travel options for every budget.
To kick-start your research into how you’ll get one place to another — here’s a handy run-down of transport options.
Trains are the backbone of long-distance travel in Germany, with national railway, Deutsche Bahn (DB), operating high-speed trains linking major cities like Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg quickly and comfortably.
Meanwhile, regional trains connect smaller towns and are ideal for day trips.
For either option, booking in advance online, or through the DB app, can save money.
For short trips or more flexibility during longer trips, car rentals are widely available and useful for exploring rural areas like the Romantic Road or the Bavarian Alps.
Be mindful of the fact that that many highways (Autobahns) have no speed limits, but rules are strictly enforced elsewhere.
Also note that parking in cities can be tricky, so use park-and-ride options when possible, or don’t bother renting a car at all — public transport in cities is excellent. More on that a little later.
For budget-conscious travelers, long-distance buses like FlixBus are affordable alternatives to trains, though they’re lot slower than trains.
While Germany operates domestic flights (handy, for example, if you need to travel quickly between Munich and Berlin), they’re less common, and less used by tourists, due to the might of the rail network.
Most urban areas have reliable systems of an U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (commuter rail services), trams and buses.
Tickets are usually interchangeable across transport types and can be bought via machines or mobile apps like DB Navigator or BVG (Berlin). Always validate your ticket before boarding.
In cities, biking is also popular, with well-marked lanes and bike rentals available. As a pedestrian, be very mindful of stepping out into cycle lanes.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany © VOJTa Herout/Shutterstock
If you’re looking to experience at least some of the best things to do in Germany, here’s an overview of the best regions to visit in Germany for different kinds of vacation.
Given that Germany has plenty for every type of traveler — from fairy-tale castles and historic towns, to alpine landscapes and lakes that invite outdoor adventures or serene slow travel experiences — you’ll want to consider your region wisely!
Black Forest/Schwarzwald, Germany © Funny Solution Studio/Shutterstock
Whether you’re thinking of including a few cities in your bigger German itinerary or are looking to enjoy a deep-dive city break, you’ll want these on your radar.
Blending history with electric urban edge — think street art, underground clubs, and world-class galleries and museums — Berlin is Germany’s capital of cool.
While you won’t want to miss visiting top attractions like the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall, Museum Island, and the Reichstag, don’t pass up the chance to visit East Side Gallery and cosmopolitan, café-packed Kreuzberg, which are among the best things to do in Berlin.
While the elegant city of Munich is loaded with charm and attractions — among them Marienplatz, English Garden, Nymphenburg Palace, and the BMW Museum — the city is also a fine base from which to explore the Alps and fairy tale castles (hello, Neuschwanstein castle!)
To really soak up Munich’s legendary beer culture, time your visit to coincide with Oktoberfest so you can savor the best German beers for yourself.
Oktoberfest, Germany © Shutterstock
With a rich maritime past, creative soul, and lively nightlife, the port city of Hamburg offers a unique blend of cool sophistication and alternative edge.
Highlights including the historic, UNESCO-designated Speicherstadt (the world’s largest warehouse district), and Miniatur Wunderland — the world’s largest model railway.
Meanwhile, strolling the Elbphilharmonie Plaza unveils striking architecture and river view.s. We also rate taking a boat trip through the city's canals.
Set along the scenic Neckar River and surrounded by forested hills, Heidelberg has something of a poetic, romantic vibe.
The city’s biggest draw is the Heidelberg Castle, a partly ruined Renaissance masterpiece perched above Altstadt (Old Town), which is a delight of cobbled streets, colorful buildings, cozy cafés, and traditional restaurants.
Heidelberg also boasts beautiful walking paths like the Philosopher’s Way, with river cruises, nearby hiking trails, and day trips to the Black Forest or Rhine Valley adding to its appeal.
Located in eastern Germany, Dresden — capital of Saxony — is a city of captivating contrasts.
Known as the “Florence on the Elbe” as a result of its grand Baroque and Rococo buildings, Dresdon’s Zwinger Palace, Semper Opera House and Frauenkirche showcase the city’s architectural excellence.
While the beautifully restored Altstadt (Old Town) exudes historic charm, crossing the Elbe River to the Neustadt sees the mood shift to a more bohemian vibe — think trendy cafés and street art.
Heidelberg, Germany © leoks/Shutterstock
When to start: 5 months ahead of travel
To spread costs and secure your ideal accommodation — while also standing a better chance of bagging a bargain — it’s advisable to book your main travel components around five months ahead of your trip to Germany.
At this stage, book:
Here’s an overview of how to get to Germany.
Getting to Germany from the US is simple, with lots of direct flights operating from major cities to hubs like Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin.
Departure cities include New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Miami.
Expect a flight time of 7-10 hours, depending on your departure city and destination.
Traveling to Germany from the UK is quick, affordable and straightforward, with most flights taking 1.5-2 hours.
Frequent flights operate from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and other major UK cities to Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, and Düsseldorf.
For short trips, low-cost carriers make city breaks to Germany very accessible, and most airports have excellent public transport into city centers.
When it comes to choosing accommodation in Germany, the country is loaded with accommodation of all types, for all budgets, even in the likes of Berlin.
Talking of which, dive into our guide to where to stay in Berlin to decide which part of the city might suit you best.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for someplace special to stay in the south, read up on where to stay in Munich.
Our tip is to allow plenty of time to research accommodation that aligns with your tastes and budget. Alongside cities offering everything from upscale hotels to low-cost hostels, rural regions offer opportunities to stay in vineyards, alpine lodges and cute countryside guest houses.
Berlin, Germany © Shutterstock
When to do this: at least 4 months ahead of your trip
Unsurprisingly, Germany’s top attractions tend to get booked up quickly.
So, while you don’t have to plan every activity or day in advance (in fact, we suggest you keep a few days free to allow for spontaneous fun), certain activities should definitely be booked in advance so you don’t miss out.
Decisions to make:
While most attractions in Germany offer walk-up tickets, we recommend booking advance tickets for the following:
Vineyards near Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany © Julia Lav/Shutterstock
Once you’ve decided on your base — or bases — and have booked the main tours and entrance tickets you want to take, it’s time to research what day trips you might want to do from said base/s.
That way, you can figure out how you’re going to get to your day trip destinations — whether that’s checking out trains and buses (and perhaps buying tickets in advance), or joining tours (which you should also book in advance).
Here are some of the best day trips to consider taking from top German cities.
Salzburg fortress © Tourismus Salzburg/Breitegger Günter
When to do this: three months in advance
To avoid last minute panics — and give yourself time to consider different options — it's a good idea to sort the likes of insurance a few months ahead of your trip.
Decisions to make:
Yep — Travel insurance is totally recommended for peace of mind.
If you don’t already have something in place, take time to research and compare options a few months ahead of your trip, and get a policy that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost luggage.
While Wi-Fi is widely available in German cities and towns, in the likes of cafés, bars, airports and stations as well as accommodation, you might want to buy a local SIM card to enjoy reliable internet access throughout your stay.
Alternatively, pre-buying an eSIM offer the convenience of activating a mobile plan without needing a physical SIM card.
They're especially useful for travelers who want the peace of mind of setting up connectivity before arrival, such as the great-value service offered by Travelsim.
Bastei bridge in Saxon Switzerland National Park © Francesco Carovillano
When to do this: one week before
Around a week ahead of your flight, you’ll want to start pulling out stuff to pack, consider exchanging currency, and check your travel documents.
It’s a good idea to have digital and physical copies of booking confirmations to hand. You could also compile details of your day-to-day itinerary — with confirmation numbers, addresses and phone numbers — into one document, so you have everything in one easy-access place.
Decisions to make:
When traveling to Germany, it's advisable to come armed with a combination of payment methods.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but having some cash on hand will be useful when visiting local festivals and markets.
For better exchange rates, check options in your home destination and pre-order euros.
Naturally, what you need to pack for Germany will need to align with the time of year you’re visiting, and the kinds of activities you have in mind.
For city breaks in spring, bring light layers, a waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and a scarf for variable weather.
Come summer, while the temperatures are hot (so you’ll want and sunscreen and light clothing), evenings are cooler, so bring a light sweater.
In fall and winter, you’ll need a warm jacket or coat, and umbrella.
If you’re planning to spend time in rural areas, bring footwear that’s suitable for long walks or hikes.
Also consider insect repellent for outdoor activities in summer, especially if you’re staying near lakes and forests.
Nuremberg, Germany © Shutterstock
Hopefully, after following this guide to how to plan and trip to Germany, it’ll be easy for you to savor every second of your vacation.
Another way to increase your chance of relishing every moment of your trip is to have our Germany travel experts curate your ideal Germany itinerary.
That way, our experts will have done all the hard work for you — including booking transfers, accommodation and tours — so every last detail will be taken care of.
written by
Joanne Owen
updated 24.03.2025
Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Germany
